New Lexington High School - Lexingtonian Yearbook (New Lexington, OH)

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A brief survey of the list of the alumni will convince even the casual observer that our high school has held its place with turning out prominent men and women ecpial to that of any institution of its kind in the state. A word should be said of the long line of brilliant men and women who have unselfishly given their time and talents as teachers. Often a meager salary was their only return to make this progress possible. Our Superintendents, Principals and Teachers have been examples of character and integrity. Beginning with H. F. Aucker, who is still a citizen of this town, down through the time occupied by J. C. Fowler, who for a long period molded the destinies of this institution and left the stamp of his personality with teachers and students alike. Joseph Gordon was first a teacher, then principal, then superintendent. Mr. Gordon’s success and ability as a teacher are unquestioned and many yet remember the lessons they learned from him. E. C. Bussart came here about 1909. Later he became superintendent and held that position for a couple of years. Mr. Bussart represented the modern idea in education. He did things and after he was gone many local people felt that he was not properly appreciated. Carl G. Pemberton was next in order and was head of our schools for several years. Mr. Pemberton was followed by J. E. Way, a high type of gentleman and school man. After Mr. Way retired E. C. Darnell took charge of the local schools for a period of two or three years. He had many difficulties to overcome and finally gave place to our present superintendent, Mr. C. A. Higley, who from his wide experience in men and affairs, his travels abroad and his deep insight into matters and things ought to make an excellent school man and his progress thus far has fulfilled the expectations of his friends. The writer is not familiar with all the principals and teachers that have labored here during the last half century, but among them the names of J. M. Gordon, G. A. Elliott, R. L. Druhalt, Mr. Spangler, Mrs. Yaw, G. A. Hoskinson, and James Stinchcomb stand out. Thomas W. Morgan, the present principal, came to this city a couple of years ago to teach certain subjects and have charge of athletics. He at once endeared himself to the student body and at the first vacancy he was promoted to the principalship. Mr. Morgan holds that position now and it goes without saying while he is in that office that the school will be conducted on a broad-minded and businesslike basis. Fifteen years ago the high school numbered not in excess of ninety students. It was housed in two rooms of the old building and under two teachers. No equipment for laboratory work of any sort was provided. Text book instruction was all that was available. About that time Mr. Bussart, an energetic instructor, was the first to introduce any laboratory work or actual experiments in the school room. A year or so afterwards the high school was transferred to the new building and it has been housed there ever since. Almost as soon as the new building was completed it was seen that it was entirely inadequate to furnish the facilities for the increasing school population. Teachers and students since that time have been forced to work under a severe handicap to get results in their work. The enrollment of the present high school numbers nearly three hundred. Forty-six boys and girls will receive their diplomas the coming June. This condition forced the citizens to the conclusion that a new high school must be erected and a proposition for the building of a new structure, costing nearly a quarter of a million dollars, was passed upon favorably at the last election. The site has already been purchased and plans are going ahead for its construction. It is planned to make this new building a monument to the county seat. The architect, Mr. John Q. Adams, a

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mi: OLD HIGH SCHOOL Our own high school, founded nearly half a century ago, represents a long period of education and character building. Two score and eight years ago, in the year 1877, our high school was established. From an humble beginning, with one teacher and a handful of students it has grown into a community institution. Its growth and importance has been commensurate with that of the village, in which it was founded. Its sons and daughters are scattered over the length and breadth of the globe, some six hundred in number, and embracing every walk of life. In the professions, in business, in politics, social and home life they are found. To follow the life history of every important alumnus that has finished the work from this institution would require an endless task. Back in the first fifteen years of its existence the graduating classes did not average over four or five and in the year of 1880 only one, Samuel Chappelear, now and for many years last past a prominent banker of Los Angeles, Cal., was the only graduate. Prominent among the persons, who early finished their preparatory course here, were J. W. and W. J. Dusenberry, prominent lawyers, real estate men and capitalists of Columbus. The former finished in 1877 and the latter in 1881. They are loyal members of the alumni association and always respond in a substantial way at each annual gathering. Standing out among the girls, who have graduated in that period, is Miss Mabel E. Colborn of Columbus, class of ’85. Miss Col-born is head of the office of the American Insurance Union in that city, and is said to be the highest salaried woman in the State of Ohio. A brief survey of the roster of the alumni of half a century reveals the names of a host of men and women prominent in every walk of life. Besides those already mentioned, we might refer to John F. Ward, prominent Columbus attorney, class of ’93; Charles Mc-Gonagle, wholesale druggist, Honolulu, H. I.; Commander Glen Burrell of the class of 1900, high officer in the Navy, stationed at Lake-hurst, N. J.; James B. Yaw, well knowm Columbus attorney, class of ’02; John W. Dugan, present prosecuting attorney of this county; Fred H. Tracy, Cleveland attorney, class of ’05; Dr. James Dunn, ’06, dentist, Zanesville; Taine G. McDougal, one of the most brilliant lights that has gone through the school in recent years, now with the General Motors, Detroit, Mich., class of ’07; Rev. David S. Lamb has gone through the larger schools in the east and now occupies a pulpit in a Methodist church, class of ’09; John D. Clark, of Columbus, Ohio, a nationally known musician, class of TO; Ralph W. Pyle, a brilliant young attorney rising in prominence in Cleveland; Mell G. Underwood, class of ’ll, former prosecuting attorney, and now holds the honored position of Congressman in Washington; Dr. Geraldine Courtright, class of T4, one of the young ladies who has made her mark as one of the comparatively few lady dentists in the country; James Stinchcomb, class of T4, a thorough scholar and former principal and now holds a responsible position in the schools of Pittsburgh, Pa.; Attorney Paul Tague, class of ’05, and former prosecuting attorney Vincent Tague, class of ’ll, both prominent local attorneys; Emerson and Carl Wagner and Harold Powell, all three in class of T5, have completed the law course at Ohio State University, passed the bar, and are prominent in the local field. Numerous others could be cited but the above only have come into the mind of the writer.

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local boy, says that the buildings will be ready for occupancy in the fall of. 1926. The completion of this new building will fulfill a long felt want, providing modern and up-to-date class rooms, adequate and well equipped laboratories, gymnasiums, and a large and commodious auditorium, where community gatherings can be held. This building ought to be a shrine where all can repair. [EDITOR’S NOTE—We are indebted to Attorney Joseph L. Meenan for this complete and interesting history of the growth of our school. We are justly proud of such a loyal alumnus and wish to express our thanks for the time and effort hereby expended.]